The eye of Hurricane Isaac is probably sitting over Grand Isle, according to Mayor David Camardelle, who took a call from White House staff this evening. Camardelle said that he doubts the slow moving storm is a Category 1 because he has had enough experience to know the difference. "We've been getting hammered. It was 60, then 75, probably over 90,'' he said. "My experienced with storms, this eye has been sitting on us and it's not moving.''

Patrick Semansky, The Associated PressThe eye of Hurricane Isaac is over Grand Isle, says Mayor David Camardelle, center, in the file photo from a 2011 news conference on the anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Also in the photo are from left, Jefferson Parish President John Young, Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser.

The island started feeling Isaac's wrath around 3 p.m., Camardelle said, a pounding that didn't let up for about six hours.

The mayor said that President Obama's staff called to confirm appointments for some upcoming meetings and that they expressed concern not only for Grand Isle but all of Louisiana on the eve of the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Weather conditions made it difficult for him to hear the staff member.

"We couldn't hear each other, but she said 'we're just worried about y'all in Louisiana. We understand the eye is going to be over your town and the mouth of the river.We're here to help you in any kind of way,'' Camardelle said, recounting the conversation. "We were getting pounded at the time.''

Camardelle, along with Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner and Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts have been lobbying Obama's staff for Army Corps of Engineers' projects to bolster their protection. Coastal Louisiana's contributions to the oil and seafood industries make communities like Grand Isle and Lafitte worth saving, Camardelle said.

"We just want to save where we live,'' Camardelle said. "Hopefully we can get the attention of the nation.''